Monday, May 19, 2014

The only hypervelocity crater in basaltic rock in the world is in Lonar, Maharashtra. This crater was created by a meteor crashing into the earth during the Pleistocene Epoch.

The Lonar crater has a circumference of around 4.8kms and the circular depression bears a saline water lake in its central portion. The crater's age is usually estimated to be 52,000 ± 6,000 years (Pleistocene), although a study published in 2010 gives it an age of 570,000 ± 47,000 years. The lake was initially believed to be of volcanic origin, but now it is recognized as an impact crater created by the hypervelocity impact of either a comet or a meteorite.

There are a number of temples all around but we visited just a couple of them.

One was of a reclining Hanuman. This temple happens to be on the personal property of the

Kanitkar family as per the notice outside the temple which also houses a Shiva ling.

Then there is a Vishnu temple dating back to the 13th century. As per local legend Lord Vishnu battled and defeated some demons in a fierce battle, after which he did not find water to wash the blood off his hands. So he shot an arrow into the ground and got the Ganga river flowing all the

way from the Himalayas. Hence this spot is marked by a spout from which flows ‘Ganga Bhogawati’ into a tank just outside the temple, and flows into the Lonar lake.

The Lonar lake surroundings are magical in the evenings when the sun sets. It is also host to a lot of birds and other wildlife. Indeed an exotic place to spend a day or two.

MTDC has a vast property there with decent enough accommodation and tolerable cuisine.

Lonar is at a distance of around 550kms from Mumbai and 160kms from Aurangabad. Both Mumbai and Aurangabad are well connected to all points in India by rail, air and road.

If you are visiting the Ajanta and Ellora caves, you may plan a day trip to Lonar and you will not regret it. If you have more time, you can climb down to the bottom of the crater, walk around the circumference and am sure you will definitely enjoy being part of nature.